Jack Harbaugh talks about Jim

Jack Harbaugh, the effusive and the personable and also the 72-year-old father of Jim, met with the media on Friday. Harbaugh has all the enthusiasm of his son, but is not nearly as guarded. Of course, he doesn’t have to be, he’s not an NFL head coach.

However, the elder Harbaugh spent 43 years in coaching and during that time his famous sons Jim and elder son John – the Ravens head coach, coached for him. And in Jim’s case, Jack coached for him. Jim hired Jack as his running backs coach while at the University of San Diego. Jack hired both as volunteer coaches and recruiters while Jack coached at Western Kentucky. The prized recruit Jim garnered was running back Rod Smart, who infamously went by the name “He Hate Me” in the defunct XFL.

Jim and Jack Harbaugh.

Jack looks fit for a man who recently underwent surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his back incurred when he tried to jog.

“That’s been my role model. My best friend, the guy that has been the person I talk to most about football, other than the coaches here on our staff,” Jim Harbaugh said. Harbaugh and his older brother John send their dad practice and game tape.

“So I can get my fix,” Jack said.

However, Jack said both his boys, who will play each other in a Thanksgiving Day game, seem wary around him. Jack said he has been politely shunned from some coach’s meetings in Santa Clara and Baltimore. Neither son wants their dad sharing any secrets.

Jack said he’s been impressed by the passion and the teaching of the 49ers coaches.

BLUE COLLAR: Harbaugh bestowed his players and his coaches with short-sleeved blue shirts with their names written across the breast pocket. Harbaugh did it to instill a blue-collar mentality. Apparently, it’s also been done by his brother John in Baltimore.

TEXANS THE MODEL: Defensive end Ray McDonald said the defense has watched the film of their preseason game against the Texans. Seahawks new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is trying to install a zone blocking scheme and a West Coast passing attack, which is exactly what Gary Kubiak has done in Houston.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “No, I was ready to get out of there two years ago, so I’m happy to be in a different uniform. It won’t be weird. Not at all.” -Cornerback Carlos Rogers when asked if it will feel wierd not to wear the uniform of his previous team, the Redskins.

BEST HARBAUGH STORY: While throwing some passes against his defense while at Stanford, Jim threw an interception and his players started to get on him. “Jim couldn’t allow that,” Jack said of his hyper competitive son. “He said, ‘I just wanted to test that defensive back’s hands.'”

By the way, Jack said he would not attend the Thanksgiving Day game in Baltimore. Instead he will seek a dark basement somewhere where he can watch the game and have a few beers.

INJURIES: Dashon Goldson is doubtful with a knee injury. For Seattle, WR Sidney Rice (shoulder) and G Robert Gallery (knee) are doubtful.